Multnomah County Animal Services rescues 23 dogs

Multnomah County Animal Services has rescued 23 dogs, including four infant puppies and one expectant female, from a facility in

Northeast Portland that failed to provide adequate care as required by the county ordinance governing animal facilities.

The dogs and puppies, primarily Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers, are being cared for at the Multnomah County Animal Services Shelter in Troutdale and in foster homes. As the dogs receive their health screening, some will be made available for adoption at the shelter and others will be placed through foster homes or placement partner agencies.

Shelter veterinary staff has completed initial health exams and are spaying and neutering, so they can be placed for adoption to new forever homes. Additionally, three area veterinary clinics: Paws and Claws, GreshamVeterinaryHospital and the S.E.PortlandAnimalHospital, have offered assistance with spay and neuter surgeries and dental services.

A routine inspection earlier this year at the facility owned by Beverly Mathews Simms on NE Glisan in Portland revealed unsanitary conditions and Ms. Mathews Simms was allowed 120 days to clean up the facility and come into compliance with facility standards.

As part of the follow-up inspection process, a puppy screened by shelter veterinarians revealed numerous parasites and infections. Further health examinations on other dogs exposed multiple health problems. In August, MultnomahCounty served Ms. Mathews Simms with seven Notices of Infraction for physically mistreating an animal, non-compliance with facility conditions and not meeting the standards for a licensed facility.

Ms. Mathews Simms appealed the Notices of Infraction and that appeal was heard by Administrative Hearings Officer Geordie Duckler on October 21, 2009. The hearings officer upheld the Notices of Infraction, and ordered the immediate seizure of animals from the property. The hearings officer also allowed for Ms. Mathews Simms to keep no more than six spayed and neutered dogs for the next two years, and allowed the county unannounced inspections to make sure she was in compliance.